Machine for exposing printed circuit panels with gas balloons and mechanical spacers

A printed circuit panel exposure machine comprising:

• a first artwork support comprising a first substantially rectangular frame and a first transparent plate suitable for receiving said artwork, said first plate being secured via its periphery to said first frame;
• a second artwork support comprising a second substantially rectangular frame and a second transparent plate secured via its periphery to said second frame and suitable for receiving said artwork, one of said first and second supports being movable relative to the other, said panel being placed between said first and second supports;
• sealing means for providing sealing between said first and second frames of said supports when said first and second frames are pressed one against the other;
• means for establishing suction in the volume defined by said first and second artwork supports and said sealing means;
• at least one deformable leaktight balloon disposed between said first and second transparent plates, said at least one deformable leaktight balloon being in contact with both transparent plates around at least a portion of said panel outside the periphery of said panel, whereby no part of said at least one deformable leaktight balloon is interposed between main faces of said panel and said first and second transparent plates;
• a source of gas under pressure at a pressure greater than the pressure of said suction;
• and
• at least one pipe for causing said at least one deformable leaktight balloon to communicate with said source of pressure thus serving, when suction is established in said volume, to cause the periphery of said first and second transparent plates to press against said at least one deformable leaktight balloon.